Malti felt the familiar flutter of nerves in her stomach. The dinner table was set, a simple yet elegant arrangement of plates and cutlery, but tonight, the atmosphere felt charged with unspoken words. Ramesh had surprised her by sitting beside her instead of his usual chair across the table, and the closeness was both thrilling and terrifying.

"Are you ready for your exams next month ?" Ramesh asked, breaking the silence that hung thick between them. His voice was gentle, yet it held an undercurrent of something deeper—an emotion that had been building between them for weeks. Malti nodded, her heart racing as she stole a glance at him. He looked tired but handsome, the lines on his face hinting at the burdens he carried, yet his eyes sparkled with a warmth that made her feel seen.